Keeping Score: New Musical Editions
Dear Reader:
As part of CT.com's
efforts to cover all
things classical, this
page is devoted to an
ongoing series of
articles about important
new editions of both
familiar and unfamiliar
repertoire. A tremendous
amount of excellent work
is being done by music
publishers, both small
and large, in issuing
new scores edited
according to the highest
scholarly standards. For
the most part, these
releases get
mentioned only
in academic journals,
and find their way into
the libraries of
universities and
performing arts
organizations. However,
they are available for
purchase by the public
at large. Some of the
more popular works may
be issued subsequently
as comparatively
inexpensive study
scores, and even if they
are not, the
original deluxe editions
represent a marvellous
indulgence for the music
lover, as well as a
terrific gift idea. They
also represent the very
latest in current
thinking about the great
music of the past.
Sometimes this matters,
and sometimes it
doesn't; plenty of
recordings released
these days trumpet the
fact that they are based
on the "new critical
edition," without
bothering to explain why
we should care. By
itself, it's not a valid
selling point, and it's
worth investigating
whether there are
meaningful textual
differences behind the
sales pitch. For all of
these reasons we are
very pleased to take
this opportunity to
discuss these issues. We
hope that you find these
essays useful,
interesting, and helpful
as a way to deepen your
understanding of the
music you love best.
David Hurwitz
Executive Editor
